As a result of prisoner exchanges between the Donetsk People’s Republic and Ukraine, 670 people were handed over to Ukraine and 790 to DPR,” Morozova said.

DPR is hoping that the sides would continue to exchange prisoners, Morozova said adding that the objective was to secure the release of prisoners under the all-for-all formula.

Earlier reports said Ukrainian representatives passed a list of persons to Donetsk whom Ukraine is ready to hand over in the course of the next prisoner exchange. However, no accord has been reached over the detainees named by Ukraine as their number is too small. Meanwhile, DPR officials do not rule out that the next prisoner exchange might take place later in February.

On 27 December 2017, DPR, LPR and Ukraine held one of the largest prisoner exchanges during the Donbass conflict. It took place at the crossing point in Gorlovka area; Ukraine handed over 160 people to Donetsk, and DPR passed 57 people to Kiev.*jk